Category: NBA News Blog

NBA news blog

Detroit Pistons waive Cory Joseph, Deividas Sirvydis and Tyler Cook

The Detroit Pistons have waived guard Cory Joseph, forward Tyler Cook and guard/forward Deividas Sirvydis.

Joseph, 6-3, 200, was acquired by the Pistons, along with draft consideration, from the Sacramento Kings on March 25, 2021 in exchange for guard Delon Wright. In 19 games (11 starts) as a Piston he averaged 12.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. Overall, Joseph played in 63 games in 2020-21 averaging 8.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists with Sacramento and Detroit.

Cook, 6-8, 255, signed a multi-year contract with Detroit on April 7, 2021 following two 10-day contracts with the Pistons. In 28 games (one start), he averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per game.

Sirvydis, 6-8, 190, saw action in 20 games last season and averaged 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 6.7 minutes per game.

Mavericks trade Josh Richardson to Celtics for Moses Brown

The Boston Celtics have acquired guard Josh Richardson from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for center Moses Brown.

A six-year NBA veteran, Richardson, 27, has posted career averages of 12.3 points (42.7% FG, 35.8% 3-PT, 83.2% FT), 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocked shots, and 30.6 minutes in 373 career games (299 starts) with Miami, Philadelphia, and Dallas. He has averaged at least 10.0 points in each of his last five seasons from 2015-16 to 2020-21, including a career-high 16.6 points per game with Miami in 2018-19.

Richardson produced 12.1 points (42.7% FG, 33.0% 3-PT, 91.7% FT), 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and 30.3 minutes in 59 games (56 starts) with the Mavericks last season, marking the fourth time over the last five seasons he has recorded at least 10.0 points and 1.0 steals. The Oklahoma native was one of four NBA players to average 10.0 points and 1.0 steals while shooting at least 91.0% from the free throw line in 2020-21 (Paul/Curry/Irving).

Brown (7-2, 245) holds career averages of 7.3 points (.540 FG%), 7.6 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 18.3 minutes in 52 games (32 starts) with Portland and Oklahoma City.

The 21-year-old averaged 8.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 1.1 blocks and 21.4 minutes in 43 games (32 starts) with the Thunder last season. He recorded 21 points (8-10 FG) and a career-high 23 rebounds, including 17 points and 19 boards in the first half alone, against Boston on March 27. Brown became the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in 1998 to produce 17 points and 19 boards in a single half. His 19 first-half boards also set a Thunder franchise record for most in a half and were the most by any NBA player in a half in 2020-21.

After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, Brown spent the 2019 preseason with Portland and signed a two-way contract with the club on Oct. 17, 2019. He appeared in nine games for the Trail Blazers as a rookie while also seeing action in 30 G League games for the Mavericks’ affiliate, the Texas Legends, that year.

Brown signed a two-way deal with the Thunder on Dec. 8, 2020, and went on to earn All-NBA G League First Team and NBA G League All-Defensive Team honors for the Oklahoma City Blue in the bubble. After his 21-point, 23-rebound effort against the Celtics on March 27, he signed a multi-year deal with the Thunder the following day.

On June 18, Brown was traded along with Al Horford to Boston in the deal that sent Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City.

A native of New York City, Brown played one collegiate season at UCLA and earned Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors for the Bruins in 2018-19.

Jalen Green goes from G League Ignite to Rockets

During Thursday’s 2021 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets selected guard Jalen Green with the second overall pick.

Green (6-6, 178), who turned 19 years old on Feb. 9, was the first player to sign with NBA G League Ignite, a team dedicated to the development and mentorship of top young prospects in preparation for the NBA Draft. In 15 G League games last season, he averaged 17.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.53 steals, and 2.1 3-pointers made. Green tallied 30 points, 7 assists, 5 boards, and 3 steals in the Ignite’s lone playoff game vs. Raptors 905.

As a senior at California’s Prolific Prep in 2019-20, Green averaged 31.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He was ranked as the No. 1 high school prospect in the Class of 2020 by ESPN and was a McDonald’s All-American.

Green won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup, and 2017 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.

The only other time the Rockets drafted a player second overall was in 1970 with the selection of Rudy Tomjanovich. Houston also acquired the draft rights to Steve Francis, who was the No. 2 overall pick by Vancouver in the 1999 NBA Draft. Including Francis, the second overall pick has produced 16 Rookie of the Year winners, most recently Ja Morant in 2019-20 and Kevin Durant in 2007-08.

Jazz trade Derrick Favors to Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder has acquired forward/center Derrick Favors and a future first-round draft pick from the Utah Jazz in exchange for a 2027 second-round draft pick and cash considerations, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.

Favors (6-10, 265) has appeared in 751 games (68 starts) with the Jazz, Nets and Pelicans and holds career averages of 10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.23 blocks in 24.7 minutes per game.

The 2027 second-round pick the Thunder is trading to Utah is the least favorable of Oklahoma City’s four second-round picks.

Wizards and Lakers discussing a Russell Westbrook trade

Russell Westbrook, and the triple-doubles that he provides, could be on the move. Via the OC Register:

As we approach the 2021 NBA draft, which begins at 5 p.m, reports about possible deals abound. The Lakers are reportedly in talks for a deal that would bring Russell Westbrook to Los Angeles.

USC forward Evan Mobley will be among the NBA draft prospects expected to hear his name called early Thursday evening. The former Rancho Christian High big man is a potential top-three pick and has impacted winning at all stops in his career

Per ESPN.com:

Los Angeles Lakers are nearing a deal with the Washington Wizards to acquire Russell Westbrook for Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and a 2021 draft pick, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Harrell has opted into his $9.7 million player option for next season, paving the way for the potential deal.

Sixers and Warriors reportedly discussed a Ben Simmons trade

There are all sorts of trade discussions happening involving Sixers guard Ben Simmons. Via the Philadelphia Inquirer:

The Sixers asked for Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, the Nos. 7 and 14 picks in tonight’s NBA draft along with two future first-rounders in exchange for Ben Simmons, according to multiple sources. The Warriors quickly turned down the offer.

This comes after a source confirmed The Ringer report that the Sixers asked the San Antonio Spurs for four first-round picks, three first-round pick swaps, and a young player in exchange for Simmons.

According to the Action Network, the Toronto Raptors rejected the Sixers’ asking price of Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and the fourth pick in tonight’s draft for a package that included Simmons.

Kyrie Irving reportedly parts ways with Roc Nation Sports

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has reportedly parted ways with Roc Nation Sports. Via the New York Post:

The first bit of Nets news on NBA Draft night had nothing to do with the draft, but with Kyrie Irving firing Roc Nation as his agency.

The move was first reported on ESPN, and confirmed by The Post.

Irving had just signed with Roc Nation in 2019, as he was preparing to bolt Boston for Brooklyn in free agency. The All-Star point guard has now gone through his second agency in three years.